How to Change Front Brake Rotors on a C7 Corvette Stingray Z51 | Sons of Speed

This step by step how-to guide will walk you through what you need to change the front brake rotors on any C7 Corvette Stingray with a Z51 package, although the process is not much different for other C7 Corvettes. (links below)
Front Brake Rotor (original 2-piece design): amzn.to/2AqhLjD
Rear Brake Rotor: amzn.to/2iCk8I1
Brake Rotor Screw: amzn.to/2zlBXFu
Torque Wrench: amzn.to/2AqSJAJ
Dewalt Impact Driver: amzn.to/2hjXZ4G
Dewalt Impact Driver & Drill: amzn.to/2AiqrHG
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[@TheSBAMF]

Made exactly the way a how-to video should be made. Bravo.

[@SonsofSpeed]

Thank you! We’re very glad you found it useful!

[@joeg9810]

Good video! Tip, put anti-seize on the wheel hub/back of rotor.

[@TomGlander]

Nice video, very helpful. I'll do this myself for sure when it's time. Plan to order a couple of those rotor screws, too, just in case. Great stuff. Thanks again.

[@rogermillard3677]

After removing the rust. You can put a light coat of nickle never cease on the rusted area only.

[@SonsofSpeed]

Roger Millard thanks for the tip!

[@rogermillard3677]

I should have been more clear why to use NICKLE never cease. The nickle will withstand the heat. Plain never cease or copper will not, and you must becareful not to get it on the braking surface of the rotor or pads could cause glazing.

[@LATAMbiker]

Thx! Looking forward to the rear rotor video.

[@SonsofSpeed]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaHGdml8qqeSna8

[@Triple88a]

one tip. take off the brake screw before taking off the caliper so the disk is held in place

[@othelcraddock7154]

How do you bleed the brakes

[@cfournier4]

Great video! Your steps are very clear and easy to follow. I find myself needing to replace my warped OEM rotors and see that you're using a DBA rotor. Were these the DBA 4000 T3 Slotted Brake Rotors? Also what pads are you using for street/track? I am considering Carbotech 1521 for street and XP10 for track. Thanks again!

[@SonsofSpeed]

cfournier4 thanks for the comments, we’re so glad you found the video helpful! Yes, this was the DBA 4000 T3 rotor, which works great, but we’ll give you an inside secret: the KNS rotors for the car (sold at knsbrakes.com) are made by DBA, are the same as the 4000 T3’s (except no slots), are a whole lot cheaper and work just as good on track. The Carbotech 1521s are great street pads (very low dust) but if you go the Carbotech route, use at least the XP12s - the 10s will just smear on the rotor at high heat. The best track pads we’ve found for the C7 are the Raybestos ST43 or ST45 pads. They’ll last longer than the Carbotechs, have better bite and handle the temps better. You can pair those with Hawk HPS pads for a compatible low dust street pad. Hope that helps!

[@cfournier4]

Sons of Speed I appreciate your quick response. Thanks for the tip on those KNS rotors and advice on pads. I've certainly heard good things about those ST43s and your advice helps confirm that.

[@cfournier4]

So I picked up those KNS rotors and Hawk HPS pads from knsbrakes.com. Getting them installed was as simple as following your procedures. I bedded the Hawk pads per procedure and so far they are less noisy, way less dust, and stop better than stock on the street. I want to get those ST43 for an upcoming track session, but I'm unsure if I need to remove the Hawk material from the rotors and then bed the ST43. You mention compatible material, so just looking for some advice. Thanks! @@SonsofSpeed

[@SonsofSpeed]

cfournier4 our experience has been the two materials work perfectly with each other - no need to remove either. The ST43s will tend to scrub off whatever material is on the rotor when you bed them anyway. You should have no issues swapping back and forth. Enjoy them!

[@roddman17]

Can these rotors fit with a non Z51 model stingray

[@SonsofSpeed]

We're not sure if the base caliper will work with the Z51 rotor. The calipers are the same size, but are cast in slightly different shapes and may not work with same rotors. Here are some pages with more info: www.stingrayforums.com/forum/general-discussion/23778-base-c7-brake-conversion-z51-brakes.html and www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-tech-performance/3632621-how-to-z51-brake-system-upgrade-for-base-model-stingray.html. Good luck!

[@ganarracing1901]

Thank you for the video. It was very helpful. I replaced all the rotors in my car. Did you guys try the DBA rotors on the track? Are they better than OEM?

[@SonsofSpeed]

We have, and they work far better than stock even though the cost over the stock rotors is minimal.

[@ganarracing1901]

+Sons of Speed great. Thank you I will try them

[@LATAMbiker]

Were there any issues replacing the rear rotors regarding the parking brake? I can't find any videos or instructions anywhere on replacing the C7 rear rotors. thx!

[@ganarracing1901]

+Joe Siegel didn't have any issues. The video was good enough to also do the rear rotors. Good luck and sorry for the late response.

[@SonsofSpeed]

Also Joe, just make sure the e-brake is off first.

[@TheAserak]

Where did you get the numbers for torque? 162 ft lbs and 106 inch lbs? I saw another vid that said 89 ft lbs and 89 inch lbs respectively. Thus, am curious.

[@dazafilms3495]

68mics I’m wondering the same. Be I have seen different spec numbers all over the web. If you find out let me know. Please. Planing on doing this maybe next week or so.

[@MrDeanecooper1]

The corvette forum has a copy of the service manual and it's 162 ft lbs (at least it is for the front ones, didn't check the back caliper specs)

[@z06king]

is it just me? I don't see cooling air hose to brake rotor eye. Maybe that's why so hot? May be there, I just can't see it. Mine is the DRM duct to rotor eye. I still crack rotors. We all do. Corvette T1 Racers go thru the blanks by the palletful and once I get the production torx screws out, which are there only to hold in place during build, I toss them. Nuts hold the rotor just fine. 25 yrs experience, 100's of pad/rotor changes. good move on new caliper torque to yield bolts. and while I'm here, why the small front sway bar? I use T1 bar on my '01 Z06

[@seniorgolfer]

Just a suggestion - too much viewing the back of the shirt; not enough seeing what was done

[@mustclime5311]

How did these rotors work out? were these as good as stock? Better?

[@SonsofSpeed]

mustclime The DBAs performed great, much better than stock in handling the heat from track braking. Plus, no need for cooling rings!

[@MrCpgallagher]

Why bother with the rotor screw? Weren't they just used to keep the rotor from falling off during initial assembly?

[@SonsofSpeed]

(a) They hold the rotor in place making caliper reattachment easier; and (b) GM recommends it, and it's always best not to give them an excuse to deny a warranty claim.

[@LATAMbiker]

Can't find anything on youtube or anywhere else on changing the rear C7 Z51 rear rotors. Are there any "complications" due to the parking brake setup?

[@SonsofSpeed]

There are, but the real reason is probably because they last a lot longer than the fronts, so not many have needed to replace them yet.

[@LATAMbiker]

Mine need replacement. I screwed up on the track running them on that "one more session" and they went down to metal on the drive home. Can you point me to any of the videos or instructions. I'm striking out on a search. thx!

[@SonsofSpeed]

Joe: We plan on doing a rear rotor video in the next few weeks.

[@SonsofSpeed]

We just posted our rear rotor video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaHGdml8qqeSna8

[@Zo6LS7427]

wft same old pads with new rotors?

[@SonsofSpeed]

Pads were practically brand new.

[@z06king]

@@SonsofSpeed and nicely bedded on track. Important.

[@carlodipaolo5826]

@@z06king Oh man I have to agree about the used pads. They bedded in to the old rotor surface. Even the mild scoring of the old rotor means the pads have matching surface so they are not flat anymore. That will cause less surface contact to the rotor until they re-bed against the new rotor. Meanwhile the high spots on the now not yet re-bedded pads will cause high friction spots on the new rotors until the pads flatten out on the new flat rotor surface.